[GoneWithTheWhing...]

P&C executive committee
reading groups
fundraising
canteen volunteer (have been in there all day one day a week for 5 out of previous 6 weeks) also co-ordinate the termly canteen roster which has been horrific with people dropping out last minute.

Currently doing all I can as I have a 3 yo who is only in preschool 2 days a week. When she starts school I'll be in for reading groups as often as the teacher needs volunteers and will do any other volunteering jobs needed. This will continue until i decide to either return to work or study

[Heffalump]

I did a lot last year (canteen once a week or fortnight, uniform shop once a month, numeracy and literacy in the classroom once a week, sports volunteering, accompanyng class on excursions...) but this year so far I have done nothing. Mainly because I have changed jobs and am in the office more now. Plus the canteen is no longer run by the P&C so doesn't require volunteers.

DD's teacher mentioned that she knew that I had done a lot in the classroom last year and asked me why I wasn't interested in doing it this year - it's not that I am not interested, it's just that the only day on offer is Thursday, and I am at work on that day. I actually feel a bit lost not having any involvement at the school this year. She said to me that next term she will organise activities for Fridays so that will be good as I'll be able to help out.

There are some great ideas here...I might approach the Librarian and ask her if she needs a hand for some time on Fridays, and I'll check with the office to see if there's anything I can do there...

This post has been edited by Heffalump: 18/03/2012, 08:20 PM

[rob6712col]

I do literacy block for 2 hours a week in my DD's class and I am also the school banking co-ordinator. The school benefits from every deposit made and it is something a working parent can do as it just needs to be collected once a week, added up at home and dropped back to school...not very hard but does need a volunteer to make it work.

[Vixxy]

As much as I would love to volunteer to help, my working hours are pretty erratic, so I just do some reading in the mornings in my son's class when I can.

In my work, I sometimes have access to office furniture/equipment that are being disposed of but are still in good condition. In these cases, I ask if I can donate them to my son's school. So while I can't volunteer my time often, I can try and provide help through other means.

[brazen]

i work 4 days a week. i work in the school canteen 2-3 times a term on my day off. i'm also on the canteen committee. tbh i did it so i could have more input into the gluten free food offered in the canteen but i quite enjoy it now

my girls would love me to do reading with them more (i used to do it a bit when ryan was younger, before rora became too much of a handful) but i hate it so do it as rarely as possible LOL

dh works full time and is on the P&C

[gvdb]

I work FT so does my other half.

He is school council president and organises the working bees. He's been on the council for 4 years and will do it as long as needed while our kids are there, so up to 12 years all up.

I attend the working bees, volunteer on sports evenings and take a day off to help out at some of the big events. Much easier now the youngest is a preschooler.

I am on my crèche parents committee and have been for 7 years. I'll probably do that for another 2 years until the last one hits school.

We always pitch in time where we can and contribute money or in kind donation where we can afford it.

We fit it in because it's our belief that the school or childcare is only as good as the people who contribute to the community.

[Chocolate Addict]

I am on the schools PFA (parents and friends association) we do the fundraising and any community stuff like setting up a second hand uniform shop, an expo, ride to school day etc...

I help out on excursions or in class events (last year it was breakfast at school for preps). I will be helping with reading one day a week or so next term.

Our school has lots of sub committee's that meet after hours so working parents can participate. We also have working bees and school council.

[Chelli]

I am on the school board for my DD's primary school, the P&F for DD's high school and now I have given up a part time job, I volunteer in two classrooms. I only do this to keep myself busy and assist one of my DD's who struggles to keep up.

[R]

I have been helping out with literacy groups in my daughters class this year and next term I am about to start teaching the new ethics course for years 5 and 6 which I am really looking forward to.

[~shannon~]

I am on the executive committee of my school's P&C and probably the biggest problem we face is gettting volunteers for the Tuckshop. There always seems to be parents willing to do reading groups, but Tuckshop gets completely ignored (despite the fact that it is so popular!) If parents don't help in the tuckshop, then who's going to feed your kids! Argh... sorry for the rant... it's nice to read of other parents who volunteer for their school, but there are just sooooo many who never do (and I'm not talking about working parents, I'm talking about lazy parents) and I find that really appalling.